Brad Riddell Says He’s ‘Really Not Fun to Fight,’ Wants Gregor Gillespie Bout Rebooked

What a fight!

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Brad Riddell does enough to score a unanimous decision victory at #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/sNgxQEU1d6

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) June 13, 2021

Brad Riddell showcased his mettle at UFC 263.

After nearly being knocked out by Drew Dober in the first round of their lightweight bout, the City Kickboxing representative took control over the final 10 minutes, repeatedly landing a solid right hand while also forcing his opponent to defend against multiple takedown attempts. The end result was a unanimous decision triumph, Riddell’s fourth consecutive victory within the Las Vegas-based promotion.

“I had to mix up that stand-and-brawl style between the stick and move. I think that’s what won it for me and those random shots and takedowns,” Riddell said. “I think the striking was making him like not too tired. It was the wrestling that made him a little more tired maybe.

“I could feel and hear him get a little more tired in those exchanges and that first one, that was forced because he rocked and wobbled me. Most people when you get rocked and wobbled, they usually dive for a double leg or something, which I did. I just had to come back from that.”

The back-and-forth slugfest ended up receiving “Fight of the Night” honors, which isn’t necessarily the type of thing Riddell wanted heading into UFC 263.

“I wanted to fight a little bit cleaner, a little bit more taking it cool, but Drew kind of forces that fight, forces that dogfight style the way he comes forward,” Riddell said. “He is very durable. My coaches were telling me to sort of stick and move, which I did sometimes. Other times I stood there and swung. I won and I’m happy with that.”

Riddell has gone the distance in each of his first four UFC appearances, and he is confident in his ability to outlast his opponents in an extended fight. He does admit, however, that he’d like to put someone away before the final horn.

“I’m really not fun to fight. I won’t go away and as the fight goes longer,” he said. “I get better and most people get worse. It’s good to get the win and expand my skills. I’d like to get a stoppage on there, hopefully that turns up soon.”

Riddell was supposed to return to action against Gregor Gillespie on March 20, but that bout was scrapped due to COVID-19 protocols. The Auckland, New Zealand, native hopes that fight can be rebooked sometime in the near future.

“I’m going to ask to fight Gregor. I need to get that back, get that off my chest,” Riddell said. “He is an amazing fighter, he had a beautiful fight his last one. I got a good one in so it would be cool to butt heads with him and see who wins.”